The holidays are fast approaching and with that comes meal planning! We all love to have large indulgent meals around the holidays, and so do our furry friends! The number of funny videos around our pets getting into the Thanksgiving turkey are hilarious! However, getting into these snacks can sometimes be harmful to them.
In order to help protect our pets, here is a list of foods we should avoid giving to cats and dogs.
Garlic
Onion, leek, chives
Caffeine (i.e., coffee, tea, soda)
Macadamia nuts
Grapes
Raisins
Chocolate
Avocado
Xylitol, a sugar substitution (i.e., “sugar-free”) present in gum, candy and baked goods
If your pet has ingested any of these, please reach out to your local veterinarian. Even a small amount of these foods can lead to serious illness. Many times, you see GI signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite. These can be greater signals that something else is going on. If these items are ingested in large amounts, more significant medical concerns, like organ failure or seizure activity, can occur.
Meats that have been cooked fully with little to no seasoning are appropriate. However, things like rotisserie chicken, fried chicken or turkey, brown sugar ham, red-eye ham, or any other heavily seasoned meat should not be given to pets. Set a little extra meat to the side before seasoning. Most seasonings can be harmful to our pets as well as cause an urgent sense of thirst. Ingesting large amounts of seasoned meats, like red-eye ham, can make your cat or dog drink large quantities of water and have an urgent need for a potty break. During family functions, this can be overlooked very easily and accidents inside can happen. It is also important to take away the bones (especially in chicken and turkey) before giving any meat to your pet. These bones can splinter when bitten and cause intestinal distress or blockage.
There are plenty of foods that, when given in moderation, can be a great treat for your pets! As mentioned before, different meats can be a great treat for them, as well as plain bread. Plenty of fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, strawberries, blueberries, and green beans can be awesome crunchy treats, especially if frozen. Popcorn with little seasoning or butter can be a fun treat! If you make popcorn balls during the holidays, these can be a fun and convenient snack for your dog as well as a favorite of many cats I know! And, as we all know, PEANUT BUTTER is an overwhelming favorite of our canine companions.
Here are some homemade recipes for our furry friends to keep them in the loop during family get-togethers that could be a great alternative to sharing your favorite meal. These include pumpkin which can be a great source of fiber and is very festive for this time of year.
Dog – Peanut Butter Pumpkin treat
(from Kaleigh Winterr via Pinterest)
Ingredients
2/3 cup pure pumpkin purée
3 Tbsp peanut butter
2 eggs
2.5 cups whole wheat flour
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl until dough forms. This may take some time.
Roll out the dough into a ¼-inch thick sheet and cut with cookie cutters. You can also cut into squares with a knife, but who doesn’t want a cute bone-shaped treat!
Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. If you are using silicone molds, then bake for 45 minutes at the same temperature.
Cool and dry out for 4-5 hours before storing in airtight containers.
Cat – Pumpkin treat
(via shedhappens.net)
Ingredients
½ cup oat flour
⅓ cup canned pumpkin purée (pure)
15 oz can tuna
1 tsp dried catnip (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl until dough forms. This may take some time.
Roll out the dough into a ¼ inch thick sheet and cut with cookie cutters. You can also cut into squares with a knife, but who doesn’t want a cute fish- or heart-shaped treat! The alternative is to roll them into small dough balls, about the size of a tablespoon.
Lightly grease a cookie sheet and place the cut-out treats so that they are not touching each other.
Bake for 15 minutes or until you see browned edges on the treats.
Dry out for 4-5 hours before storing in airtight containers.
It also is worth mentioning that substances like alcohol and marijuana should never be given to cats or dogs. Just as these substances can impair our bodies and minds, it can be even more potent for our pets. If your pet ingests alcohol, marijuana, or any other substances, call your veterinarian or local emergency hospital for guidance. We are here for your pets’ safety and well-being; not to judge you or your family.
The holidays are a great time to gather around with friends, family, and your furry friends, but it is important to keep these things in mind. We want all of our pets and family members to live long happy lives and still have the snacks they love so much!
Melissa is a surgery technician at Lake Pine Animal Hospital. Melissa graduated with an animal science degree in 2018 B.S., B.A., M.S. She is currently making arrangements to attend vet school.
